What is Arbaeen? Arba’in 2025

Arabeen / Arba’in is a common word or terminology from Arabic language which is among the largest speaking native language of the people of MENA (Middle East and North Africa). It means 40. While the general meaning of the word is forty or forty days, in Islamic countries of Greater Middle East including the subcontinent, it refers to the completion of 40 days to martyrdom of the grandson of Holy Prophet (PBUH), Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) / Husayn ibn Ali during the battle of Karbala in  680 AD (61 AH) in the month of Muharram, date 10, also known as Ashura. The Tragedy or the Battle took place because of coercive acts of Yazid, the ruler of that time who thought that taking allegiance from Imam Hussain bin Ali was necessary to legitimate his illegal and immoral government, given to him by his father, the 5th Caliph, Mua’wiya. Yazid was an immoral leader, corrupted by power and he was not suitable for the Position of Islamic caliph because the ruler of the Islamic government should be just and balanced in his acts and should follow the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). This conflict between the ruler and Hussain led to tragedy of Karbala in Iraq where the family of Prophet was killed with cruelty.

Arabeen / Arba’in Explanation and History

As mentioned earlier, It generally refers to 40 or 40 days to something, but in Islam, particularly Shia Islam, it refers to completion of 40 days to the martyrdom of Imam Hussain during the tragedy of Karbala. As it marks the forty days of tragedy of Karbala, its date is 20th of Safar, the second month of Islamic Calendar. It is often known as Chehlum Imam Hussain (چہلم امام حسین). It is attended by millions around the globe and has special events in Karbala, Iraq, where the tragedy took place.

Arabeen / Arba’in 2025

As in majority of the countries world wide, Ashura 2025 / 10 Muharram 2025 is going to happen 5th and 6th of July, 2025, the tentative date of Arabeen / Arba’in 2025 is going to occur between Thu, Aug 14, 2025 – Fri, Aug 15, 2025, depending on the sighting of Moon in the different regions, and in this special case, Iraq. While the historical event takes place in Iraq, the chehlum is conducted worldwide from United States to Europe to Australia.

What is Arbaeen in Islam?

The Arabic word for the number 40 is Arbaeen, specially refers to the 40 days to the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, it signifies the end of a forty days mourning period for Hussein and others martyred at Karbala. According to most Islamic schools thoughts or law, a person who dies is mourned for 40 days by loved ones.

Is this bigger than Hajj?

People often ask if it is larger than Hajj? Well technically speaking, yes, by number of attendance, In 2024, the estimated people gathered in Karbala Iraq to mourn the tragedy stands at 21.83 Million people. Majority of them were Shia Muslim pilgrims participated in the Arbaeen pilgrimage in Karbala, Iraq. While Hajj 2024 stood at 1.83 Million people. Both cannot be compared religiously and dynamics and both are different events, however, the if we just look the the people gathered, the Chehlum stands tall.

Why Shia do Arbaeen walk? سفر عشق

The walk isn’t a religious act but more of an act of love and affection for the family of Holy Prophet (PBUH) so many people travel by foot to reach Karabla.

Can Sunnis Visit Karbala?

Yes, Sunnis can visit Karbala, as a matter of fact, anyone can visit Karbala. Even People from other religions have often been observed visiting Karabala, paying tribute to great sacrifice of Hussain, to stand against the tyranny of Yazid ibne Muawi’ya.

Final Words

The annual event of Arbaeen isnt just an event, its a reminder of the great sacrifice of the grandson of Prophet and teaches us to stand against injustice and tyranny of the ruler. I would end this post with the golden saying of Hussain ibn Ali, “The late you will stand against injustice, the more you will have to suffer”.